Pile fabric containing derivatives of cellulose



Patented Aug. 23, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE cmmn names, of NEWYORK, 1v. Y. rim ranmc comramme nnnIvArrvns-or cnnnunosr:

This invention relates to pile fabrics and particularly to pile fabricshaving a pile comprising yarns of organic derivatives of cellulose.

An object of my invention is to produce pile fabrics having a pile ofyarns contain- 1n organic derivatives of cellulose, which fa ric has adesirable luster and other improved properties. Other objects of myinvention will appear from'the following de tailed description. I

In the preparation of pile fabrics, such as velvets having a pilecontaining yarns of organic derivatives of cellulose, I have found 5that certain precautions should be taken in order to produce a'pilefabric having a desirable luster, sheen and appearance.

In accordance with my invention, I prepare a pile fabric containing apile of or i ganic derivatives of cellulose and a back of any suitableyarn, while observing one or more of the following conditions: 1. Thepile contaim'n the yarn should be cut evenly, and the pile shouldpreferably have a length of 1.5 to 2.0 mm. or more. 2. The pile shouldpreferably not occupy a position at right angles to the plane of theface of the fabric. 3. In order to obtain better luster of the finishedfabric, the pile yarn containing the derivatives of cellulose arepreferably delustered or their opacity increased to some extent atleast. 4. To obtain best results, if a colored fabric of solid color isto be produced, the pile yarns and the back of the fabric should be ofsubstantially the same color and depth of color.

The pile of the fabric to be made or treated in accordance with myinvention should contain yarns of organic derivatives of cellulose.Examples of organic derivatives of cellulose are organic esters ofcellulose and cellulose ethers. Examples of organic esters of celluloseare cellulose acetate, cellulose formate, cellulose propionate andcellulose butyrate, while examples of cellulose ethers are ethylcellulose, methyl cellulose and benzyl cellulose. However, I prefer toemploy yarns made of or containing cellulose acetate. The back of thefabric may-be made of yarns of. any of these organic derivatives ofcellulpplication filed December 19, 1828. Serial 1T0. 327,190, i

lose but it is preferably made of other yarns or other fibers such assilk, cotton, wool, etc.

I have found that unless the pile of organic derivatives of cellulose iscut evenly, a ragged surface is presented, which results in uneven sheenor luster. in accordance with my inventidn, the pile should be cutevenly so that the yarns comprising the pile are of substantiallyuniform length. Moreover, the individual yarns of the pile should be cutcleanly and should not have ragged cut surfaces. It is well .to cut thepile while damp or moist or by the use of any other suitable means forneutralizing generated electricity, in order to avoid objectionableelectrical phenomena. 05 When damp, the yarns of organic derivatives ofcellulose are more elastic and therefore may be cut more evenly, whereaswhen these yarns are dry they are somewhat brittle and tend to breakwith ragged edges, when cut. 7 I

In. order to improve and increase the richness of the appearance'of. thepile fabric, the pile should preferably be of a length of 1.5 to 2.0 mm.or more. a

I have found that if the pile is at right 7 angles to the plane of theface of the fabric, the appearance is dull, due to the fact that onlythe ends of the pile are seen when viewed in the ordinary-manner. I havefound that if the pile is caused to occupy a position not at rightangles to theplane' of the surface of the fabric, so that it is at anacute angle to the plane of the face of the surface, or evensubstantially horizontal thereto, a much richer luster is imparted tothe fabric'because of the panne effect. The angle of the pile to theface of the fabric may be from 0 Y to. 70. To obtain this position ofthe pile, the fabric may be ironed or calendered'while damp at atemperature of 120 C. or more. 0. Because of the thermoplastic-nature ofthe organic derivatives of cellulose in the yarn, this finish isrelatively permanent, due to the molding operation entailed in theironing or calendaring at elevated temperatures. By as the applicationof heavy pressure so that the pile yarn is substantially horizontal withthe Iplane. of the face of the fabric, a mole-skin ish may be obtained.

For obtaining best results with pile fabrics having solid color, Iprefer to have the back of the fabric the same color as the pile, sincethe back of the fabric contributes a large share of the color of theWhole fabric. This prevents the showing of finger-marks due to thedisplacement of the angle of the pile.

In order to impart further richness of luster to the fabric, I prefer tohave the pile of the fabric which comprises organic derivatives ofcellulose yarn, of increased opacity or subdued luster. I have foundthat ordinary yarns of organic derivatives of cellulose are sotransparent that they do not reflect' suflicient light to give thedesired luster to the finished fabric. However, I have found if theopacity of the yarns comprising the pile is increased, the luster of thefinished pile fabric is materially improved. The yarns of organicderivatives of cellulose such as cellulose acetate, may be delustereprior to being woven in the fabric, or the pile fabric may be subjectedto a delustering agent after it has been woven. Any suitable delusteringagency, such as water at or near the boiling point, wet steam orsolutions of suitable salts or organic compounds or hot dye bath may beemployed. The opacity of the pile yarns may be only slightly increasedso as to reduce the transparency of the yarn slightly or they may becompletely delustered.

While I have described several steps for obtaining improved appearanceof a pile fabric containing pile yarns of organic derivativesofcellulose, it is to be understood that any one, or a combination of twoor more or all of these steps may be employed without departing from thespirit of the invention, since each of these steps contributes to theobtainance of improved results.

It is to be understood that the foregoing detailed description is givenmerely by way of illustration and that many variations may be madetherein without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having describedmy invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. A fabric having a pile comprising yarns of organic derivatives ofcellulose, which yarn is of increased opacity.

2. A fabric having a pile com rising cellulose acetate, which yarn is ofincreased opacity.

3. A fabric having a pile comprising yarns of organic derivatives ofcellulose, which yarn is of increased opacity, and which pile is not atright angles to the plane of the surface of the fabric.

4. A fabric having a pile comprising cellulose acetate, which yarn is ofincreased opacity, and which pile is not at right angles to the plane ofthe surface of the fabric.

5. A fabric having a pile comprising yarns of organic derivatives ofcellulose, which yarn is of increased opacity, and which pile

